Brussels, 23/08/2005 (Agence Europe) - The Commission has authorised plans to create a joint company, to be known as LauritzenCool, between the Japanese company NYK Reefers and the Danish company Lauritzen. This new entity, which is currently 100% owned by the Danish group, runs and manages refrigerated ships which transport perishable foodstuffs in bulk. NYK Reefers will buy 50% of the shares of LauritzenCool, to which it will transfer its commercial and operational management activities on joint sea routes. This operation will give rise to the world's second-largest operator in this sector, and the Commission feels that it will create no obstacle to competition, at global level or on specific maritime corridors between the regions of the EU, where other operators are very active. Although it is the leader on some of these corridors, LauritzenCool "will still be up against strong competition from other refrigerated bulk transport operators and by the operators of container refrigerated vessels", the Commission concluded.